School buses — Texas Permit Test

A driver approaching a school bus from either direction must stop when the bus is showing alternately flashing red lights.

Children cross in front of the bus where the driver of a passing car cannot see them. Both directions stop for that reason.

bus from either direction and the bus is displaying alternately flashing red lights, you must stop

A driver may not pass a stopped school bus until it has resumed motion, the driver signals them to proceed, or the red lights stop flashing.

The lights go out when the last child is aboard and clear. Any one of the three means the crossing is finished.

bus from either direction and the bus is displaying alternately flashing red lights, you must stop. Do not pass the school bus until: 1. The school bus has resumed motion; 2. You are signaled by the driver to proceed; or 3. The red lights are no longer flashing

A driver need not stop for a school bus on a different road, or on a controlled-access highway where the bus is in a loading zone that pedestrians may not cross.

A divided highway with a loading bay keeps children off the traffic lanes entirely. Stopping there would achieve nothing.

bus from either direction and the bus is displaying alternately flashing red lights, you must stop. Do not pass the school bus until: 1. The school bus has resumed motion; 2. You are signaled by the driver to proceed; or 3. The red lights are no longer flashing. It is not necessary to stop when passing a school bus on a different road or when on a controlled-access highway where the bus is stopped in a loading zone and pedestrians aren’t permitted to cross

A first conviction for failing to stop for a school bus carries a fine of $500 to $1,250.

This is one of the heaviest ordinary traffic fines in Texas. The state prices it that way on purpose.

A fine of $500 - $1,250

A second or later conviction within five years for failing to stop for a school bus carries a fine of $1,000 to $2,000 and possible suspension for up to six months.

The fine goes up and the license comes into play. Texas treats the repeat as a different kind of driver.

A fine not less than $1000 or more than $2000, possible suspension of driver license for up to six months

Causing serious bodily injury while passing a stopped school bus is a Class A misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $4,000 and up to one year in jail.

Once somebody is hurt this stops being a traffic offense. Jail is on the table for the first one.

Class A misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $4,000 and/or up to one year in jail

Causing serious bodily injury by passing a school bus after a previous such conviction is a state jail felony punishable by 180 days to 2 years confinement and a fine of up to $10,000.

The second time somebody is hurt the offense becomes a felony. That is as far up the ladder as this rule goes.

State jail felony punishable by 180 days to 2 years confinement and a possible fine of up to $10,000.

When must a Texas driver stop for a school bus?

When it shows alternately flashing red lights. Children cross in front of the bus where the driver of a passing car cannot see them. Both directions stop for that reason. Texas Driver Handbook, p.23: “bus from either direction and the bus is displaying alternately flashing red lights, you must stop”